It's not hard to tell when a new iPhone is coming - just pay attention to the increased flow of rumors leaking from Asia, where the device is manufactured. The latest story claims that the next iteration of the Apple smartphone will use new, cutting edge in-cell touch panels.

The report cropped up in Taiwan-based Digitimes, which said that "an improvement in yield rates of the in-cell touch panels at Sharp and TMD has persuaded Apple to choose to cooperate with Japan-based panel makers." The new touch panel approach would eliminate the need for an external module or film, thus reducing the weight of the device and bringing down the overall thickness of the panel array. As history has shown, Apple prides itself on the ability to offer even minimal gains when it comes to a sleek form factor.

The report also declared that the new iPhone will arrive in the third quarter of 2012.

This is just the latest iPhone rumor to emerge in recent weeks. Just yesterday, a Korean publication said the new iPhone's back would be made of "liquidmetal." Earlier this month a news report focused on Foxconn featured a factory worker discussing plans to ramp up hiring in preparation for iPhone 5 production. Yet another report cited an analyst who said information gleaned from a recent trip to China and Taiwan suggested a slimmer new iPhone with a larger screen and a unibody frame.